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After another first-round exit, Wings had some standouts, but also a few blemishes

The Detroit Red Wings are done with another season, one that saw them again put in another successful regular season only to fall short in the playoffs.

There were individual bright spots among veterans and young players. Pavel Datsyuk is nearly 37, and he's still the most entertaining player to watch in hockey. Tomas Tatar plays with an energy that's infectious.

There were also blemishes - Stephen Weiss again didn't look like a player earning nearly $5 million a year, and Jimmy Howard stood out because a groin injury separated a terrific start from a terrible finish.

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Free Press Red Wings writer Helene St. James grades the 2014-15 Detroit Red Wings, starting with the forwards ... Justin Abdelkader: Came through with a career year in his sixth NHL season, scoring 23 goals after topping out at 10 each of the previous two seasons. Had 44 points in 71 games. Is a strong skater and hard worker, provides a net-front presence, and a puck retriever for the team's stars. Had two assists in five playoff games after missing time because of a broken finger. A USA TODAY Sports

Joakim Andersson: Rebounded from a disappointing finish to the 2013-14 season to settle in as dependable grinder, along the way contributing eight points in 68 games. Good penalty killer, and helped out in playoffs with one goal and one assist. B USA TODAY Sports

Daniel Cleary: Was re-signed last summer because of an obligation dating to Cleary bring brought back for 2013-14 at the behest of Mike Babcock. Played 17 games, producing one goal and one assist. Great character guy, but if he has a future with the Wings, it's not as a player. C USA TODAY Sports

Erik Cole: Acquired at the trade deadline to add size and scoring to the lineup. Didn't have a smooth transition despite being put into top-six mix, but managed to contribute three goals and six points in 11 games. Stopped playing after spinal contusion in late March, which likely will end his career. C USA TODAY Sports

Pavel Datsyuk: He is the most skilled player in hockey - does things with the puck others simply don't even think of. Was the only player on the team to surpass a point-a-game, with 26 goals and 65 points in 63 games. Followed up with three goals and two assists in seven playoff games. They don't come any more dazzling. A+ USA TODAY Sports

Landon Ferraro: Turned around his pro career with a transformative season in Grand Rapids, earning a trip to Detroit as the season wore down. Scored his first career NHL goal in regular season finale, his third game. Earned spot in playoffs lineup, helping grind away on the fourth line. Not a lot to judge on, but looks dependable. B USA TODAY Sports

Johan Franzen: Had 22 points and a minus-12 rating in 33 games before sustaining yet another head injury in early January. Hasn't played since, and suffered a setback in late April after several weeks of skating. His playing future is murky, but if he can't play, the Wings will put him on Long Term Injured Reserve, which saves the salary cap hit. C USA TODAY Sports

Luke Glendening: Plays as brightly as the smile he flashes when he is getting under an opponent's skin. After scoring once in 56 games in 2013-14, he showed off nascent puck skills with 12 goals among 18 points in 82 games. Provides energy and is a great defender. In playoffs, his two goals included a game-winner. A USA TODAY Sports

Darren Helm: Finally looked like the lightning quick forward who was so valuable for the Wings before injuries derailed his development three years ago. Played 75 games, with 15 goals and 33 points. Provided speed and puck retrieval for Datsyuk. Had three assists in playoffs. A USA TODAY Sports

Tomas Jurco: Didn't follow up on his rookie season, scoring just three goals among 18 points. Went from top six minutes and power play regular to playing in the bottom six. Has good shot and skates well, but needs to work harder. His goal in the playoffs came when Datsyuk's shot went off Jurco's pants. Could have been sent to the minors, but Mike Babcock liked Jurco enough to keep him in Detroit even as production lacked. C USA TODAY Sports

Drew Miller: He doesn't contribute points like he did his first few seasons with the Wings, but he's a valuable grinder and penalty killer. Showed his grit when he nearly lost his right eye in one game when he was cut by a skate blade, and still played the next game. Had goal and assist in playoffs. B USA TODAY Sports

Gustav Nyquist: Finished fourth in team scoring with 54 points in 71 games, which included 27 goals. Was a minus-11, demonstrating his defensive side of the game still needs work. Showed good overall growth, but didn't make much of an impact in playoffs, where he was held to one goal and one assist. B USA TODAY Sports

Teemu Pulkkinen: All he did in the minors was score nearly every shift, showing off that booming right-handed shot of his. He struggled to translate that success in stints with the Wings, limited to five goals among eight points in 31 games, despite getting power play time. Has promise, but needs to figure out how to be an NHLer. C USA TODAY Sports

Riley Sheahan: Built on his rookie year with 13 goals and 36 points in 79 games. Good without the puck, and growing more comfortable with it. At his best centering third line that doesn't see opponent's best defenders. Solid in playoffs with two goals and one assist. B+ USA TODAY Sports

Tomas Tatar: Paced the Wings with 29 goals, and had 56 points in 82 games. Irrepressible puck hound who loves to shoot, making him a great fit on a top line. Work ethic and scoring instinct make up for lack of size. Had three goals and one assist in the playoffs. A USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Weiss: Had a better second year with the Wings, but then it would have been hard no to improve on 2013-14. Had nine goals and 25 points in 52 games, but didn't work hard enough to become a regular. Banished for a stretch after two turnovers during Detroit power plays in a March game at Boston led to two Bruins goals. Was scratched after going scoreless through two playoff games. Has three years left on contract with a salary cap hit of $4.9 million. D USA TODAY Sports

Henrik Zetterberg: Finished as the team leader in points with 66 in 77 games, but was very quiet offensively down the stretch and went seven playoff games with no goals and three assists. Does a lot of little things, but his lack of playoff production was in sharp contrast given his usually masterful play in spring. B- USA TODAY Sports

Jonathan Ericsson: Matched a career high with 15 points in 82 games, playing on top pairing against opponent's best players. Led team defensemen with four points in the playoffs, which he played with a broken toe because of a soccer mishap. Doesn't play like the really big guy he is. B- USA TODAY Sports

Jakub Kindl: Can't seem to impress the coaching staff enough to stay in the lineup. Managed to squeeze five goals and 13 points into 35 appearances. Is good with the puck, but doesn't show the hustle needed when he doesn't have it. Got into one playoff game. C USA TODAY Sports

Niklas Kronwall: A tireless workhorse who leads the way on the back end. Had nine goals and 35 assists in 80 games, playing big minutes in all situations. Had two assists in playoffs, missed last game because of suspension after open-ice hit. Highly dependable and self-accountable. A USA TODAY Sports

Alexey Marchenko: Showed off his smarts when he joined Wings in late February, then missed a chunk of time because of injury. Returned in April and was part of the lineup when the Tampa Bay series began. Looked less impressive in playoffs, which saw him at minus-3 after two games. B- USA TODAY Sports

Xavier Ouellet: Appeared in 21 games during the regular season, contributing two goals and one assist and a plus-4 rating. Tailed off at the end of his last stint with Detroit, but plays a smart game beyond his years. B+ USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Quincey: Showed great chemistry with DeKeyser, played a steady, safe game that made the two a reliable second pairing. Came through with 18 points and a plus-10 rating in 73 regular season games, followed by three assists in the playoffs, all while playing with bone chips in his left ankle. B+ USA TODAY Sports

Brendan Smith: Had 13 points in 76 games. Cut down on some of the risky plays, but struggled with consistency. Costly error in Montreal in second-to-last game of regular season left him banished when the playoffs began. Had no points in five games against Tampa Bay. C USA TODAY Sports

Marek Zidlicky: Looked great upon arrival from New Jersey, making immediate impact with offensive output and helping out on power plays. Made significant errors in playoffs and didn't contribute any points. C+ USA TODAY Sports

Now the goaltenders: Jonas Gustavsson: Unfortunately the most reliable thing about him is injuries. He appeared in just seven games, going 3-3-1 with a .911 save percentage and 2.56 goals-against average. C USA TODAY Sports

Jimmy Howard: Couldn't have had a much more dichotomous season than putting up All-Star numbers through the first half and no-star numbers in the second. Was injured same day selected to All Star Game, never recovered his form after recovering his health. Finished 23-13-11 with a .910 save percentage and 2.44 GAA. C USA TODAY Sports

Petr Mrazek: Came to the rescue when both Howard and Gustavsson were hurt, and while Mrazek had a handful of shaky outings here and there, he put in a slew of impeccable performances and won the starter's job for the playoffs. Went 16-9-2 with a .918 save percentage and 2.38 GAA, and then stole Game 1 of the playoffs en route to a record of 3-4 with a .925 save percentage and 2.11 GAA. A- USA TODAY Sports

Coaching staff: Head coach Mike Babcock and new assistants Tony Granato and Jim Hiller preached a sound structure for the Wings. Granato had the penalty killing unit playing well most of the year, while Hiller figured out a way to make the power play work after a quiet first month. The Wings looked brilliant as they swung west at the end of February - but then came a tumble that lasted through March and into April. Starts were sluggish, special teams spotty. After two subpar opening games in the playoffs, the coaches had the team playing well again. Still, it was one round and done. B USA TODAY Sports